I try to update my stories section often to help you with posing techniques, clothing to wear and questions you might have before your headshot session.
What are team headshots? Team shoots are when I come to your place of business to take headshots of all of your staff on a specific day and there are benefits of team headshots. Team shoots are no problem at all. In fact, it is what I do most. My clients have been lawyers, dentists,…
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What about make up for my headshot session? Women clients often ask me what about makeup? Do I need it? How should I prepare? The short answer is you don’t need a lot of makeup. My equipment is designed to make everyone look good as yourself. In most cases you’ll be surprised…
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Where is your Ottawa headshot studio? I often get emails and clients asking where is your Ottawa headshot studio? My headshot photography is shot in one of two places. My home studio or in my subjects place of business. My dedicated studio space in my home is separate from my living quarters. Most clients comment that…
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The short answer about how long your headshot session will take with me is – about an hour. For individual headshot sessions, as opposed to team shoots on location, we need about an hour. This is my experience from completing over 500 headshots over the past few years. To learn more how long your headshot…
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Why do some photographers charge tax when others don’t? This is a good question. I doubt most people realize why some photographers charge tax and why some don’t. In Canada if you have a small business you must charge HST on all revenues over $30,000 per year. If your small business is a side-hustle and…
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Should I bring different outfits for my headshot session? I get this question a lot. A headshot photographer should encourage people to bring a couple of different outfits. I know that I have a couple of shirts that I find comfortable. Of course I assume they look good on me too. But just because…
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One of the first questions photographers get when a client reaches out is what does a headshot cost? This is pretty normal to me. I’d ask it! When we go to a restaurant we tend to know something about what to ‘expect’. We understand what things usually sell for. Because you have done it before…
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If you have questions I’d be happy to help. Reach out right here.
How to find the right Headshot Photographer Just about every single person I see for a headshot session says early in our shoot they are not photogenic. In fact, I’m surprised if I don’t hear this. It’s pretty common to hear I’m not photogenic. I get it and I empathize with everyone. I’m not particularly…
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I’m a corporate headshot photographer in Ottawa. A big part of my work is with companies who need headshots of their team. This post is about: How to book a team corporate headshot session: The first thing I do when you reach out to me, and after discussing with you what it is exactly that…
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There are several advantages to having corporate headshot at your office rather than at my studio. Time and Money are the two biggest ones. No one likes having their photo taken. To encourage people to travel to a studio away from work might just be enough to limit the number of people who show up.…
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Actor headshots in Ottawa. Actors headshots are always a little different than business headshots. Most actors have an idea of what they’d like their headshots to look like. They’re used to being in front of the camera. But even though you’re an actor you probably still need some help in front of the camera. That’s…
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Headshot on a white background I get this call a lot. “I need a headshot on a white background because the company I just joined needs to add me to the website. How quickly can you do it?” I like this because the white background is my marquis look. I love it for a bunch…
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Why do we think we look ugly Ugly is a bit strong. It’s actually the title of the Ted Talk at the bottom of this page. We sure do have hang-ups about the way we look though. I believe self-esteem is the root cause of many of the world’s problems. Drugs, alcoholism, violence, suicide are…
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Sarah Potter is following her dream. She’s a successful Mortgage Advisor at The Mortage Advisors here in Ottawa. She came to me for a headshot as she was starting this position in Ottawa. She explained that she had just immigrated from the United States and it was clear that she had excelled as a…
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One thing you won’t hear in my studio is me telling you to SMILE! To me, it’s all about the Squinch! Probably the worlds most famous headshot photographer is Peter Hurley. Peter is in New York City and has made an amazing career as a headshot photographer. He photographs actors, business people and the who’s…
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Should I wear jewellery Everyone asks should I wear jewelry for my headshot. Jewelry can definitely add to your look. However, a headshot is not the place to for it. The idea of a professional headshot is to draw the attention to you. As well a good headshot should draw special attention to your eyes. Jewelry’s…
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People are prettiest when they talk about something they really love. They have passion in their eyes. This is a great quote from someone. Unfortunately, I don’t know who wrote it. But it sure is true. Almost any photographer can take a good photo. Good lighting can be achieved to make you look good.…
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Iconic headshot by Albert Watson No. I did not take this iconic headshot. BUT give me an hour with Steve Jobs and I’m pretty certain…. nah… I don’t think so! Maybe. Who knows. BUT this iconic shot by Albert Watson is one of the most famous photographs of all time. Read about Albert Watson here.…
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I love when something this cool happens. It’s a sign sign – Everywhere a sign! That happened to me a while back. I do some work for my friend Brian Warren who owns Bounder Magazine. Bounder is a magazine for, by and about men. The stories are about fishing, hunting, music and cars. Not that…
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Actor headshots in Ottawa I think actors kind of invented the headshot! After actor headshots came model headshots. Then finally the ones we see everywhere in corporate headshots. There are more actors in Ottawa than we know. I got a call last week. The actor had started to work with an agent. He sent photos to…
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What to look for when hiring a Headshot Photographer. How does it work? This is the first question I get when someone contacts me for Headshot Photography. What’s involved in hiring a headshot photographer? Hiring a professional Headshot Photographer is NOT something you do every day. This might help. Here’s how it works. Style.…
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Should I wear my glasses for my Headshot session? If you’re wondering should I wear my glasses for my Headshot session the answer is probably yes but only if your headshot photographer knows what they’re doing! As someone who wears them all the time I say If glasses are part of your brand then yeah……
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Forbes Magazine recently published a list of 15 Body Language Blunders You Should Know. Here are 15 body language blunders you should know: (To view the other ten no-no’s from Forbes click right here. ) Slouching is a sign of disrespect. Exaggerated gestures can imply that you’re stretching the truth. Watching the clock while talking to someone is a clear sign…
DetailsSeven things no one ever tells their Headshot Photographer and why I love what I do. As a Headshot Photographer, I noticed early on that no one ever says this to me: “This is your lucky day…. I look great.” “I can’t believe how great my skin looks.” “I’m so excited. You’re going to…
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I need a headshot done fast! I get this call all the time. Twice this week in fact. I kind of understand it because this happens to me too. Suddenly an opportunity comes up that you know you have to take advantage of but there’s a missing part. This week it was two…
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Student Discounts for Headshots. My son has just finished University. Graduated with a BA in Psychology. Proud I am! He decided he was going to make me jealous. He’s headed off, with a friend and a backpack, to travel through South-East Asia and Austrailia. So he purchased a one-way ticket and checks in via…
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Use A Sonic Logo to Increase business revenue I promised to share with you not only Headshot Photography stories but also my experience in sales and marketing. I listen to at least ten podcasts per week. This interview by Mike Dillard from Self-Made Man, in particular, is very interesting. Sound plays such an important…
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Does my headshot really matter? People probably don’t wonder much about the difference between using a professional or amateur when having headshot photos done. Does it really matter?
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Reasons to have a professional headshot. Kyle owns ThePlantKindLife.com and is a personal trainer. Not only is he a speaker he has started to be asked by various health and wellness organizations to speak to large groups. Recently had a talk at a local health food store where the topic was Vegan living, health, and…
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I dragged my heals for years before buying a Mac! I dragged my heals for years before forking over over $2,000 for a laptop. Now I get why those Apple people are so loyal. On January 17th it will be one year since I purchased a MacBook Pro. I know this because that’s…
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What background colour should you use for your Headshot? People ask me all the time. What background colour should you use for your headshot? White is my marquis look and is what I think I do best. Love it! There’s a bunch of reasons I love white backgrounds. It’s easy for your designer to work with if your…
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You might think that Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson wouldn’t need a professional Headshot. Surely he has enough pictures of himself? A quick Google search for images of him and you’ll find for sure there are a lot of photos of the Mayor. BUT there are only a couple that could qualify as portrait Headshots. Most are shots…
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I recently had the amazing opportunity to meet and talk with John Rowlands. John is an iconic rock and roll photographer – and we met at where else – a rock concert. Within two minutes of speaking to him at Kemptville Live I knew that I wanted to take this legend’s Headshot.
Maybe you have been wondering if it is worth it to have good Headshots of your staff. Here are some strong reasons to make sure you do. Last Winter I had the opportunity to photograph Environmental Headshots of the staff of an Ottawa men’s clothing store. This is not your typical men’s clothing store. The sales people…
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How to become a superstar. I got an email today, one of those that you sign up to receive, from Sandy Gallagher from the Proctor Gallagher Institute. That’s Bob Proctor’s business partner and President of the PG Institute. I love almost everything that comes out of that website. Bob Proctor will be well known from…
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Does a great headshot really matter? Sometimes people ask me does a great HEADshot really matter that much? I say Hell Yeah! Gayle has a resume writing business. She gets most of her clients from referral and on-line. In personal branding on-line there is a sub-conscious ‘split second’ where someone decides whether they ‘like’ you or not. Not whether…
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Do professional sales people need a great Headshot? I received a call from a medical supply company. We’re doing a big trade show in Toronto and we want to personalize our company. Can you do a headshot or two so that we can use it in a brochure we are handing out to visitors ? Yes… that’s…
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One of my favourite marketing minds is Terry O’Reilly of CBC’s Under the Influence. A recent episode was called Selling Yourself: The Art of Personal Branding. I’ve reached out to Terry and have his permission to paraphrase some of his points from this episode. These days, everyone is a brand. You are unique, you have a…
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Every photographer has their own style or look. As a HEADshot photographer my look is the crystal sharp white background for your headshot. Although it is not the only to shoot a headshot it is definitely my preferred look and I love it. Here’s why. White is clean and professional looking. It makes you focus on…
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Most people don’t like having their picture taken. Even when it is for your website, Linkedin profile or personal branding, most people start out thinking the process of having their photo taken professionally won’t be fun. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard, “I’m not photogenic, I don’t look good in pictures,…
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I can’t tell you how many times as a headshot photographer I hear people say “I hate having my picture taken”. Everyone says that. I think what they really mean is that they hate how a bad photo of them looks. Who wouldn’t? My job at HEADshotphotos.ca is to make sure that you’re comfortable and relaxed…
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A while back I had a staff of twenty six people working in my business. There were times when we’d have to arrange to have our staff together at conferences, meetings and training seminars for the whole day. As a business owner I really didn’t like those days especially during busy times. Tell me if this is familiar…
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Somewhere between grade 12 and the end of University you’ll want a pro headshot. As a young person who’s about to finish university you probably have found that you are starting to get a little more serious about the impression you’re going to want to leave with others. More serious now especially since you are starting to think…
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Ten Reasons to have a professional headshot in Ottawa: One of the first things people do these days before doing business with you is Google your name. They do their research online and likely land on your social media, Linkedin profile or website. They will do this when interviewing you or considering doing business with you.…
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Headshots are today’s calling card. As the owner of a small business a few years ago I was surprised when the local newspaper sent a reporter to do a story on my business category at the time. Of course I took that call! A few questions about what my company recommended and my opinion on…
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